New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-02-04
SHE REFUSED TO MARRY HIM.
THAT WAS THE REASON WHY HE SHOT HER.
MRS. MASON KILLED BY HENRY sHIPMAN ONE OF

"
MRS. MASON KILLED BY HENRY sHIPMAN ONE OF
HER BOARDERs.
When Alexander Mason who was employed by the
Erie Railway as passenger agent died In West Eleventh
ST. hte more than two years ago, his wife, Josephine
and his daughter Emma age ten left without rela
tives on whom they could depend for support With
$4,000 which was paid toher by life insurance company,
MIS- Mason hired the foursory English basement house
No 339 West Thirtyrstst, furnished It, and let
to boarders She shot In the house yesterday after
ternoon by Henry shpman one Of her boarers and died
soon after being taken to the Roosevelt Hospital not hav
ing been able to tell the OF the shooting.
Mr. Mason was short handsome woman Of forty-hve
years and ora lively disposition. Since the death Of her
husband she had led apparently blameess life, work
Ing nara and practising strict economy order support
herself and daughter Her only other living relative
her brother, Henry Wikin, formerly a compostor in
The Sun office and at present employed In the Public
Works Department He lives with his wife and two
children In fathOuse at Nnth-aye and Forty fifth
St Mrs. Wilkin and her ssterin-law disagreed
so seriously several years that Wkn and his sister
had not seen much Of each other shpman went to board
with Mrs. Mason after she opened the house In
Thirtyhrstst, and, although he fourteen years her
junior, he showed marked admiration for
her. She treated him kindly, but his man
ner became offensive that they disagreed
late In 1885 and he left the house. He returned
again less than three months ago and occupied
room on the second noor Ihrce other young men nau
rooms In the house, and Mrs Couch, invalid widow oc
cuped rooms with her the third floor They did
not know much about shipman. shlpman Is we'll
formed man. below the medium height with
light complexion and brown mustache. He
dressed In good style and believed to be In the
poy of horse insurance society at No s54 Broadway.
Mrs Mason told her three servants yesterday morning
that she intended to Jersey City to-day to look after
a law suit and might be absent several days About
p. she told Mary IIcaly, Of the servants
that she going into shpman's room TO writo
some letters and that II he came into
the house she wished to be informed at
Her daughter not at home then. Mrs Couch the
Heay aud her sister Maggie were In the basement The
door bell was rnng half hour later. and Mary lealy
to to' Mrs Mason ~ Mr. snip@an is here Then She
OF stairs She had hardly reached the kitchen when she
was startled by pistol shot 1t was followed by three
and and sounds OF rapid footsteps above ,,ohaTy Mary
unable TO move from fright. until Mrs.
Mason appeared. She staggered into the kitchen
sxclanine Help In shot =! and fei famlimT on & se
frightened servants He'd Mary ran into the rear yard,
n4 ,ees Spon p, & oPss be out III IRON h srea
cries attracted Policeman Mccoy, who en-
@ tered the hSasG %ne IN a%pt sa rssanc sap@e
and surrendered his revolver chamber OF which was
still loaded. McCoy took shipman Ia the police station
and hal an ambulance summoned from Roosevelt
Hospital The ambulance surgeon found Mrs. Mason
suffering from internal hemorrhage and semiconscOus
She appeared 10 suffer intensely on the way to the
hospital and not able 10 speak when carried
into one Of the wards She dcd twenty 1.-TWO
minutes later II wa found that she had been shot
twice In the back. once In The lcit arm and once
in the right leg. Evidently she bad
tried ward oil the first shot and had
received bullet In her arm Then She had tried 10
escape and had received the mortal wounds while her
back Wa~ toward the assassin.
shipnan appeared cool and perfectly sober after his
arrest lie said he had occupation and was unnar-
ricd. lie had not been made aware of Mrs. Ma
Mrs. Mason's daughter was kept in Ignorance
of tie same fact The brother went TO the house
later TO see II he could take The girl
under his protection. To reporter the lit o
girl said " don't want Auntic Wikn tO come here.
Mamma don't Ike her at all. Mamma has said
/ 20 me more than that II she should
die or he separated from she didn't want Auntic
Mllkn To hlKo any influence over me-
when shipmau taken to the station ne
nj first refused 10 any questions. ser
peaut Haven talked with him and noticed that
he excited had Wild look I'm his and the general
appearance Of person OF unsound mind Finally lie ex
claimed suddenly:
IAN have to say is that killed Mrs. Mason"
Why did YOU do II I" Sergeant Haven asked.
Becausc loved her aud she refused 10 marry me-"
shpman would not make any further statement